OKTIBBEHA COUNTY – Human remains discovered earlier this month on Stuart Road have been identified, and a Starkville man was subsequently charged with murder.
The remains have been positively identified as Carl Baptist Jr., an Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office press release said. Baptist, 34, had been missing since Sept. 18 after he was last seen at his residence in central Starkville.
Algernon Young, 37, of Starkville, is charged with first-degree murder and burglary of a dwelling in connection to the case.
While Capt. Brett Watson with OCSO would not comment on the details of the investigation, he said more information will be released as it becomes available.
There is no danger to the public at this time, the press release said, but Watson said the investigation is ongoing.
“It depends on what happens and where we go from here, but there’s potential … for more charges,” he said.
Young is being held in the Oktibbeha County Jail, awaiting his initial appearance in court.
McRae is a general assignment and education reporter for The Dispatch.
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